Liberal Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces, NM · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

New Mexico State University-Main Campus has a 76% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 11,561 students in Las Cruces, NM.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $27,868/yr, roughly in line with the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 20.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 14%. Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

With first-year pay of $27,868 far exceeding the $9,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #697 out of 830 programs, New Mexico State University-Main Campus's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $27,868 to $32,811 over five years (18% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

38 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
38
Score
38
High End
Earnings $27,868/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$337K
4.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
20.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$16,294
Out-of-state: $50,542
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,811
18% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof

About Liberal Arts and Sciences Careers

Your studies in humanities and sciences can lead to a career shaping minds in higher education. As a community college instructor, your days are focused on the classroom. You’ll craft engaging lectures, lead discussions on foundational texts, and spend afternoons in office hours, helping students one-on-one with their essays and research projects. At a four-year university, your role often expands to include original research, meaning you might spend your mornings teaching a seminar and your afternoons in the library archives, contributing new knowledge to your field by writing articles and books.

Read the full Liberal Arts and Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts and Sciences Overview

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 38/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How safe is Liberal Arts and Sciences from automation?
Highly resilient. Liberal Arts and Sciences careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →